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Excellent

#1243 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 13% in state

Sierra Madre Elementary

Elementary School · Pasadena Unified

141 West Highland Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024

Enrollment

618

Student-Teacher

25.8:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sierra Madre

#1 of 2

public schools

California elementary schools

#899 of 5,817

In district

#7 of 23

Pasadena Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Sierra Madre Elementary

Sierra Madre Elementary serves 618 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the charming community of Sierra Madre, California. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.8:1, providing a structured learning environment where students consistently excel academically. The school's impressive academic performance places it among California's top elementary schools, ranking #1392 out of 9566 schools statewide and earning a strong 86th percentile standing.

Students demonstrate solid mastery across core subjects, with 71% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 72% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction. Sierra Madre Elementary draws families from an educated and stable community, where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $128,056.

The low poverty rate of 6.1% in the surrounding ZIP code creates an environment where families can actively support their children's educational journey. Located at 141 West Highland Avenue, Sierra Madre Elementary sits in the heart of this close-knit suburban community, where tree-lined streets and the nearby San Gabriel Mountains create an ideal backdrop for childhood learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Madre Elementary is 25.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.5%
Math vs. State Avg+26.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.7 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,056

Sierra Madre Elementary — Students at Sierra Madre Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.3%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 70.9%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
70%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
71.7%
ELA
71.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Sierra Madre Elementary Compares

See how Sierra Madre Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

141 West Highland Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Madre Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Field (Eugene) Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Pasadena), with a very similar rating. Another option is THE GOODEN SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Highland Oaks Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Arcadia), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sierra Madre, see our Sierra Madre schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sierra Madre 0.2 mi 7.2
THE GOODEN SCHOOL Sierra Madre 0.2 mi 7.8
Gooden School, The Sierra Madre 0.2 mi
St. Rita School Sierra Madre 0.3 mi
Alverno Heights Academy Sierra Madre 0.6 mi
ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY Sierra Madre 0.6 mi 8.7
Sierra Madre Middle Sierra Madre 0.7 mi 7.9
La Salle High School Pasadena 0.8 mi
LA SALLE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Pasadena 0.8 mi 6.0
Don Benito Fundamental Pasadena 1.0 mi 6.4
SIERRA MADRE COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL Sierra Madre 1.0 mi
Field (Eugene) Elementary Pasadena 1.2 mi 8.2
Barnhart School Arcadia 1.6 mi
Highland Oaks Elementary Arcadia 1.5 mi 7.8
BARNHART SCHOOL Arcadia 1.7 mi 7.7
Hugo Reid Elementary Arcadia 1.9 mi 5.9
ARROYO PACIFIC ACADEMY Arcadia 2.0 mi 6.0
Arroyo Pacific Academy Arcadia 2.0 mi
EXCELSIOR SCHOOL Arcadia 2.0 mi 5.2
Foothills Middle Arcadia 1.9 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 91024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,094

Median Home Value

$1,172,200

Median Rent

$2,086/mo

Population

11,020

College Educated

65.4%

Homeownership

57%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sierra Madre Elementary has a median household income of $141,094. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,172,200, with a median rent of $2,086/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Altadena Elementary Altadena, CA 8.1
Altamont Creek Elementary Livermore, CA 8.1
Alvarado Elementary Signal Hill, CA 8.1
Aptitud Community Academy at Goss San Jose, CA 8.1
Bathgate Elementary Mission Viejo, CA 8.1
Bell Gardens Elementary Bell Gardens, CA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Madre Elementary

What grades does Sierra Madre Elementary serve?

Sierra Madre Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sierra Madre Elementary?

Sierra Madre Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 618 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Madre Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Madre Elementary is 25.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Madre Elementary rank in CA?

Sierra Madre Elementary is ranked #1243 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sierra Madre Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Madre Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sierra Madre Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sierra Madre Elementary has 71.3% math proficiency and 70.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sierra Madre Elementary a charter school?

No, Sierra Madre Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sierra Madre Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sierra Madre Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sierra Madre Elementary?

35.1% of students at Sierra Madre Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (816/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sierra Madre). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pasadena Unified
District Enrollment
13,978
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,565
District Rank
#7 of 23

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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